"She is widely loved, as She is known for healing the sick and bringing fertility and prosperity, and She especially watches over the poor and brings them what they need. As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman". Read more about her here and here.

Please bear with me .... I am labeling each image by Robyn Gordon because my work is being pinned without credit.

This is the second time that I have carved Oshun. Initially I was drawn to her because she is the mother of the birds and the fishes. Fish (my husband is a passionate angler) and birds feature highly in our lives. At first I knew only a smattering of facts gleaned in books but later the internet provided a deeper knowledge of her qualities and I became even more intrigued. I have a Brazilian friend living in the states who knows her as Oxum. With the African diaspora Oshun was introduced to the Americas. Her name changes slightly from country to country but no matter where she is, she is loved and respected.

84 comments:

I feel a sense of reverence when I see this. How well you've used the natural textures and shapes of your materials to create what you do.One day I hope you will post a Youtube video showing us how you create your beautiful work.

Priya, "a sense of reverence" ...you have no idea how much your comment warms my heart. Thank you. I battle to photograph my work so that you can see the texture (these are really poor photos) so i can't imagine what i would do to a video clip.

Hi Robyn, this is such a powerful piece and I think you honored her with your work. She one of my favorite transformational goddesses, and I am so taken with with your treatment of her hair and the length of her, just stunning... and I think you captured the texture pretty well... still she begs to be stroked...

Oh, Robyn, she is stunning! I have been familiar with the Orishas for many years, and Oshun has always been my favorite- along with Legba. You have exquisitely portrayed her strength and wisdom, as well as her beauty. Have you done carvings of any other Yoruba deities? If so, I'd love to see them.

Sharmon, thank you so much! It is an added surprise that my fellow bloggers are aware of the Orishas. I have carved several of the Orishas (I'm drawn to the female dieties) but my first digital camera took even worse photos than this camera so I haven't kept a very good record. I carved OshunI and Yemaya. Let me look through my photos and I'll email you.

Thanks Lyle, she knows... :-)

Penny, I do get that feeling when my totems are here. Perhaps it's the tallness that gives the impression of guardians standing over one.

Thanks Annie K, it was a pleasure carving her.

Carole, thank you. I had the most fun doing her hair :-)

Lucky Dip Lisa, thank you!

Thanks Velma, I'm so chuffed that you would want to sit with her.

Thanks Jacky, the blades are from a lawn mower. I bought them from a scrap yard and have had them hanging on a chain on my wall for about 3 years..... waiting for the right time to use them.

lynne h, :-) xoxo

Lynn, thank you so much.

Vintage Tea Time, wow! I'm enjoying the comments so much :-)Thank you!

Thanks Barry, yes they are mower blades. They have waited a long time for the right time to use them.

Her impact on me is calming. What a beauty! Self-confident, powerful, protecing... You have a special attitude to this goddess with the beautiful name of Oshun. Although wooden, I have the feeling that she's breathing, that she has a soul...One can learn a lot from the links, thank you, Robyn!

Oshun or Oxum - whatever her name she is very beautiful, and comforting, graceful, serene.I particularly love her hair Robyn. A really beautiful way to begin your creative year.May it be filled with more ......

Hi Robyn,It's been awhile since I've stopped by. I have enjoyed my visit, as I always do. I don't think anyone else asked this question, but how do you know if your work is being pinned without credit? I'm just curious. I'm not on Pinterest, so I am completely in the dark about it. Love your work, of course! Powerful, silent...

Thanks Karine, I am on Pinterest myself so I keep on bumping into my work with out credit or links and in fact sometimes someone else is given credit. There is a way you can check if your work is being pinned but only the pins that have credit and links will show.http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=karine+Swenson

oh Robyn... she's gorgeous... so elegant! We were at the Fine Arts Museum in Boston a few weeks ago and I have to tell you, my favorite room held masks and barkcloth from Africa. In my mind I kept visualizing the markings on trees in our forest at home and the art felt familiar and comforting to me.